Qantas Frequent Flyer - Skywards throws down the gauntlet to QFF

Reported by The Australian (http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/business/story/0,28124,24638247-23349,00.html).

In fact, more like a rubber glove than a gauntlet!!

The limo returns are restricted to 1 per year - as are the lounge accesses.

However, the 1.5point per $ with a 1-1 burn looks attractive tho' the earning rate (for Aussies) with DJ can drop as low as 0.25 per mile.

The card - with free travel insurance - will be attractive with an annual fee of $199 plus $90 for the supp - especially given the price some plats are now becoming which have an equivalent earn rate (post April next year).

If they're really serious maybe they'll offer a status match at some stage??

BD

Interesting that. Also states that trans-tasman services are excluded from the limo deal too. There may be a clause in there that states you can access the Dubai lounge during any travel though. It may be the AU lounges are a once a year thing. Big Woop. The QF Amex does the same with similar earn rates. I guess it's the burn rates that will make the difference.

And it's Citibank. Another reason not to go near them (my father applied for a card once and had it approved, sent to him, and on opening, the forms had the wrong name on it and the card had been embossed with the wrong name. He cut it up sent it back to them and that was that).

Link on www.emirates.com (http://www.emirates.com/au/english/destinations_offers/special_offers/Bring_the_world_closer_sooner_with_an_Emirates_Cit i_Platinum_Card/bring_the_world_closer_sooner_with_an_emirates_cit i_platinum_card.aspx).

Would be ok if they gave lounge access all the time, but joining Priority Pass is probably a better deal, unless the limo access does it for you.

Also is it limo & lounge both ways or only one-way, once a year?

Also is it limo & lounge both ways or only one-way, once a year?

Both ways:


One complimentary chauffeur driven ride per year to and from the airport when flying Emirates1

One complimentary lounge pass (for two) per year to any Emirates Lounge in Australia when flying Emirates2

Complimentary access to the Marhaba Airport Lounge in Dubai3


1. Chauffeur-driven transfers to and from Australian airports to an Emirates flight is restricted to once per annum on purchasing an Emirates flight with your Emirates Citi Platinum Card, trans-Tasman flights and group bookings are excluded. Chauffeur-drive is provided by Emirates and their authorized third parties to Emirates Citi Platinum Cardholders. Citi accepts no liability for this service. For full terms and conditions, please visit www.emirates.com/au.

2 Emirates Lounges: Emirates Lounge access for the primary cardholder and guest is restricted to Australian airports once per annum on purchasing any Emirates class flight from Australia with your Emirates Citi Platinum Card. Emirates lounges are administered by Emirates and/or third parties for Emirates. Citi accepts no liability for this benefit. For additional terms and conditions, please visit www.emirates.com/au.

3 Marhaba Lounge: Access to the Marhaba Lounge in Dubai is provided by MasterCard to Emirates Citi Platinum Cardholders and is subject to the terms and conditions specified by MasterCard and Marhaba. Citi accepts no liability for this benefit. For additional terms and conditions, please visit http://www.mastercard.com/ae/personal/en/promotions/dubai_airport.html

BD

Doesn't really sound so great, as the benefits are targeted at the occasional traveller. If you are a frequent EK traveller you will get the lounge benefits anyway. The once a year limo service is a bit of a novelty and won't be of much use if you travel all the time. And in Dubai, you don't get access to the EK lounge, just a pay-in lounge.

So the main benefit is getting a different earn and burn rate for people who earn points through credit card spending.

I guess EK sees this more as a promotional opportunity: it might sway people to try EK due to the limo service, then you might love them and fly with them more often.

So the main benefit is getting a different earn and burn rate for people who earn points through credit card spending.
.


Earning 1.5 on a master/visa is better than what most QF master/visa cards offer. From what I can tell at best they offer 1 point per $ spent. If you want more then you need an AMEX.

I have never flown Emirates but have now heard from several sources that their economy product leaves a lot to be desired and coming home via Dubai is a pain

I have never flown Emirates but have now heard from several sources that their economy product leaves a lot to be desired and coming home via Dubai is a pain

But their F product is nice, and their J product appears quite nice (from my view from F) and the J cost TT is from BNE-AKL $500 cheaper than QF J - in fact EK F is only $16 more than QF J ($200 cheaper than NZ J) and includes limo and lounge and the points...

This can only be a good development in Australia. QFF has such a strong position here that they can get away with ridiculous redemption levels (anytime awards anyone?), joining fees etc.

One of the main reasons why people are putting up with this is the credit card earning capabilities of QFF plus the fact that no other airline has a comprehensive domestic and overseas network.

This can only be a good development in Australia. QFF has such a strong position here that they can get away with ridiculous redemption levels (anytime awards anyone?), joining fees etc. ...It may be that EK perceive Qantas have created an opening for them here with their recent/imminent tightening of the way QFF points can be earned via CC.

It may be that EK perceive Qantas have created an opening for them here with their recent/imminent tightening of the way QFF points can be earned via CC.

I'm guessing that is also why Velcoty has ramped up it's CC partners and Krisflyer has increased rates with Amex and joind the likes of the citibank program as well.